Suspension-bridge



Patented May 14, 1889.

SUSPEN (No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HORACE M. KOSIER, OF RIDGEXVAY, KANSAS.

SUSPENSION-BRIDGE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 403,433, dated May 14, 1889. Application filed January 26, 1889. Serial No. 297,739. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HORACE M. KOSIER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ridgeway, in the county of Osage and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Suspension-Bridges; and I do hereby declare the followingto be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in suspension-bridges.

The object is to provide a bridge which shall be strong, light, durable, and cheap, and which may be constructed of all sizes to suit the various demands.

\Vith these ends in view my invention consists in certain features of construct-ion and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view of the bridge in side elevation, and Fig. 2 is a plan view.

A represents the pillars or abutments at the opposite ends of the bridge.

A pair of supporting-cables, B, suitably anchored at points beyond the pillars or abutments, extend over the tops of said pillars or abutments and stretch across the stream or chasm to be bridged, over the tops of the pillars or abutments on the opposite side, and off to their points of anchoring,

The stringers C are stretched from suitable anchoring-points at the feet of the pillars A on one side to corresponding points on the opposite side, and intermediate supporting-cables, D, extend from suitable anchoring-points on one side over the tops of the pillars A to corresponding positions on the opposite side, but are allowed more slack than the cables B, and hence gradually fall farther and farther below the cables B as they approach the middle of the span. The stringers O are primarily supported by hangers (Z from the inter1nedi= ate cables, D, and said stringers 0 are caused thereby to assume an arch form.

The whole structure as above constructed is braced and further supported by a pair of truss-cables, E, which lead over the tops of the pillars and thence slant downwardly to the middle of the span or crown of the arch,

Where they pass under the ends of a lockinggirder, F. The girder F is placed beneath the stringers O, and when the truss-cables E are passed beneath its ends is secured in osition and at the same time serves to lock he truss-cable to the stringers.

A clamp, G, is provided, one at each end of each of the truss-cables between the opposite pillars or abutments of thebridge, which clamp is adapted to embrace the cable B and the truss-cable E and to be slid thereon toward the middle of the span. The effect of such sliding movement of the clamp G is to tighten the tension of the truss-cable, and hence lift up the stringers at their middle points, thereby stiffening the entire structure. The said clamps G' are intended to be made adjustable, so that they may be slid forward and backward to suit the changes of temperature in summer and winter or to take up any undue slack at any time. To further stiffen the structure, hangers b are dropped from the 'middle points of the cables B to the intermediate cables, D, and cable 0, and from other points on the cables B to the truss-cables E. Horizontal braces H may also be inserted at pleasure between the stringers C.

The bridge as thus constructed is capable of being put up in a very short space of time, and will be found stiff and durable, as well as ornamental.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, with a pair of supporting-cables and a pair of stringers, of trusscables extending from the supporting-cables on opposite sides of the middle obliquely downward to the stringers, and means for connecting the trusses with the stringers, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with a pair of support ing-cables and a pair of stringers, of trusscables extending from the supporting-cables obliquely downward toward the stringers, and a girder located between the truss-cables and the stringers, forming a lock between the two, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with a pair of supporting-cables and a pair of stringers, of trusscables extending from the supporting-cables obliquely downward to the stringers, and

ing from the supporting-cables to the string- 1o ers at the crown of the arch, substantially as sliding clamps engaging the supporting-cables and their corresponding truss-cables,

whereby the tension of the cables may be set forth. a

regulated, substantially as set forth. In testimony whereof I have affixed my sig- 5 4. The combination, with a pair of supportnature in presence of twowitnesscs.

ing-cables, a pair of stringers, and a pair of HORACE M. KOSIER.

intermediate supportingcables, of hangers Witnesses:

supporting the stringers from the intermedi- F. H. FOSTER,

ate cables in arch form, and truss-cables lead- V. G. LAND. 

